I will be studying American democracy promotion programs in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, andUlan Bator, Mongolia.Democracy is a relatively new concept in Central Asian republics, which in 1991 suddenly became independent of Soviet authority. Nevertheless, Mongolia has been able to develop a relatively open system, while Kyrgyzstan initially the great democratic hope of Central Asia, slid into authoritarianism and Tajikistan fell into a civil war.

Yes, I am going to Central Asia. Why? Because it's an interesting area that I think will offer interesting insight into the on-the-ground effect of American democratization efforts.